Eviction

"He Xiaoxing?" Tan Wang walked forward, tapping his temple with a circling finger. "I seem to recall hearing that name. You're a teacher at Wuyi?" He Xiaoxing grunted softly. "Something like that. Assuming Wuyi hasn't crossed me off their faculty roster yet." Tan Wang said, "Even if you are, what are you doing here? You ought to know this isn't a place a Wuyi teacher like you can just wander into." He slowly rotated his arms and wrists, rolling his neck. "The Lake-Center Villa doesn't belong to Yangzhi City—it belongs to Center City. Stepping onto these grounds without the master's permission gives the host every right to evict you or resort to drastic measures." As he spoke, he moved closer, coming to a halt about seven or eight meters away. Tall though he was, compared to the lion of a man before him, he still appeared far too lean and frail—like a venomous serpent confronting a lion. He Xiaoxing replied casually, "None of that matters. I only came today to see just how much strength a teacher from Center City actually has." "If that's what you want, I'm more than happy to oblige." Tan Wang flexed his fingers, popping his knuckles. Then, casually lifting his foot, he leaned his weight forward. The instant his sole touched down, he had already crossed the seven or eight meters. Four fingers pressed together, the tips of his hand struck directly against He Xiaoxing's sternum! Yet what should have pierced straight through flesh met an unyielding, resilient resistance. The muscle beneath his fingertips barely gave way before halting his thrust entirely. He Xiaoxing looked down, seeming faintly disappointed. "Is that all?" Tan Wang gave an eerie smirk. Veins suddenly bulged across his arm, bursting forth from beneath his skin like living things and transforming into snake-like tendril whips. They spread across He Xiaoxing's chest, binding him tightly, before rearing their heads like serpents. At their tips were razor-sharp fangs, now poised toward every vital spot on his body. One had even coiled up near his cheek, its point pressed squarely against his throat. He Xiaoxing said, "Oh? Secret Snake Cult? If I remember correctly, your sect spent the old days cultivating mutated aberrations. Have you replaced that with implants now?" He stood motionless, his voice so level that it lacked even a ripple of alarm, as if the man ensnared were someone else entirely. Tan Wang narrowed his slender eyes. Without answering, he pulled the sinewy tendrils taut, and the fangs lunged downward into He Xiaoxing's vitals like striking vipers. Yet the moment those fangs met his skin, they ran into an invisible barrier, stalling in place. Then, to Tan Wang's astonishment, a faint blue pattern resembling a human face surfaced across He Xiaoxing's chest, spreading swiftly across his entire body. He murmured in shock, "Xuanxiang Jin..." He Xiaoxing slowly raised a fist. The tendrils binding him let out metallic twangs, snapping one after another. Minute dust motes in the air drifted upward with his inhalation, and when his arm reached its apex, he smashed it downward with tremendous force! *** Inside the Lakeside Villas, Qiao Linhu was instructing a student in stance power. He was thoroughly pleased with this disciple—talented, deeply conscientious, following every instruction down to the letter, executing each movement with precision. The boy lacked some of youth's natural exuberance, but Qiao Linhu found such a temperament even more to his liking. At this rate, within a year, the boy should master his secret stance technique. With continued guidance, the lineage would be carried on. Just then, a distant crash echoed from the center of the lake. Surprised, Qiao Linhu told his student to keep practicing and walked down the corridor toward the lakeshore. By then, every Wuyi instructor residing at the lakeside villas who was currently home had stepped outside, looking toward the island at the center of the lake. A cloud of dust rose into the air, and as it cleared, a massive breach was visible in the wall of the white training hall. Outside the breach, Tan Wang slumped against the trunk of a tree, surrounded by a scatter of fallen leaves. A hulking figure strode out from the ruined wall. Qiao Linhu raised a grizzled brow in surprise. "He Xiaoxing? When did he get back?" He Xiaoxing casually tore off the severed tendril wrapped around his arm, walked over to Tan Wang, and looked down at him. "You know what? I despise people like you who cram foreign things into their own bodies." Tan Wang wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, glaring at him. "Are you... from the Purist Faction?" He Xiaoxing didn't answer. He walked straight past him and down into the water, stepping into the lake until the surface closed over his head. A moment later, his figure emerged on the opposite bank. He walked away with steady steps, droplets rolling off him until, within moments, not a trace of dampness remained. Ignoring the gazes of the gathered teachers, he followed the path away from the lake. *** After returning to his dormitory, Chen Chuan tried calling Cheng Zitong to tell him about Tan Wang, but no one answered. The man was likely away from his office. Chen Chuan thought nothing more of it and planned to call again later. Although Tan Wang had told him to consider the offer, there was nothing to consider; he had no intention of accepting. As for the consequences? He had no real fear of them. Tan Wang might be from Center City, but he did not speak for it. Once the academy learned of this, they would naturally shield him. Even if the academy couldn't, he already held a weapons license. The world was vast; he could go anywhere he pleased. Of course, things were far from reaching that point. Putting pressure on the academy carried too high a cost. Unless driven by deep personal enmity, hardly anyone would pursue such a thankless endeavor. If Tan Wang truly wielded that kind of influence, he would be lounging in Center City enjoying himself, not out here teaching students. Back in his room, Chen Chuan resumed his training for the day. Time drifted by, and after dinner, he continued with his breathing exercises. By now, he could sustain the basic breathing technique unbroken for over two hours, nearing three. That duration continued to increase with steady practice. At this pace, barring any bottlenecks, reaching twenty-four hours would likely take only a year or two. Still, this was merely the basic breathing technique. He would eventually have to learn more advanced methods. Incorporating those into his training might lengthen the overall process, or perhaps they would complement each other and shorten it—the latter seemed more likely. While maintaining his breath, he heard a knock at the door. From the rhythm and force, he recognized Cheng Zitong. Chen Chuan checked his watch; it was past eight in the evening. Cheng Zitong rarely visited at this hour. Suspecting it had to do with the daytime encounter, Chen Chuan drew in his breath, crossed the room, and opened the door. Sure enough, Cheng Zitong stood outside. Chen Chuan greeted him and welcomed him inside. Sitting down on the sofa, Cheng Zitong said, "I already heard about Tan Wang coming to see you today. But don't worry—someone has already taken care of it for you." Chen Chuan considered this. "From what you're saying, Teacher, that person isn't from our academy?" "His file is still with the school," Cheng Zitong replied, "but he hasn't returned in two years." Hearing that span of time, Chen Chuan felt a flicker of recognition. Cheng Zitong drew in a breath, then let it out. "In truth, the academy originally intended for him to be your instructor. He simply didn't return in time, so I was asked to take his place. As for me, I've always doubted my own capabilities, worried I wouldn't teach you well. Fortunately, you've been an exceptional student, giving me little cause for concern." Chen Chuan looked at him. "I believe it was my good fortune that the academy arranged for you to teach me, Teacher." Cheng Zitong chuckled. "I'm glad to hear you say that. But becoming my student doesn't mean you can't learn from other teachers; I'm not that narrow-minded. I came tonight to tell you that I plan to take you to meet Teacher He. He's leaving the academy tomorrow, and he likely won't ever return." Chen Chuan looked up. "Because of this matter?" Cheng Zitong nodded. "Do you know how he handled it? He gave Tan Wang a thorough beating, right in front of the senior teachers. Tan Wang lost so much face that he couldn't bear to remain at the academy. His only choices were to move into that recommended student's home or return to Center City overnight. Just before I came, word reached me that he had already left by car." He shook his head. "But Old He can't stay either. He hadn't set foot in the academy for two years, and after pulling a stunt like this, there's no way he can stick around. Before leaving, he wants to see you." Chen Chuan said, "Since Teacher He is leaving because he resolved my trouble, it's only right that I go meet him and thank him in person." Cheng Zitong gave an approving grunt and stood up. "Come with me, then." "Yes, Teacher," Chen Chuan replied, falling in behind him. The two of them left the dormitory, got into Cheng Zitong's car, and headed east. Ten minutes later, they reached South Hill, where Chen Chuan had previously visited Wenguo Hall. Following the winding road, they drove all the way to the top and pulled over. Chen Chuan could already see a burly figure standing at the hill's edge, his back turned to them. The man faced the starry night sky as a cool breeze stirred the hair draped over his shoulders. Cheng Zitong stepped out of the vehicle with Chen Chuan, and together they walked toward the man standing under the stars.